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Information
Communications Technology The week kicked off with joint International conferences on IT and e-Governance - the 6th International ICT Conference (IITC) and the 2nd Interrnational Conference on e-Governance (ICEG) followed by the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization celebrating (ASOCIO) its 20th Anniversary celebrations with a conference, exhibition and the association's meeting and general assembly. The week from November 29 to December 5 was declared by the government as the ICT week endorsing the three events as being of national importance. At the end of the week over 40 papers had been presented with local businesses having ample opportunity of networking. Papers included topics such as Language Processing Techniques, Software Engineering and Processes, Images Processing Applications, Global Outsourcing, Convergence of Telecom Technologies, Maturing of Software Industry Projects to Products, IT and the Law, etc. The ICT policy of the country was also extensively discussed with concepts and case studies being presented at the 2nd International Conference on e-Governance and at the 3rd ASOCIO Regional ICT Minister's Dialogue. The forums discussed key issues relating to bridging the digital divide, knowledge building, tariffs and taxation, and enhanced government-industry collaboration. The ICT policy was discussed by 11 ministers and key delegates from 20 countries. The subject of e-Governance received ample prominence with many global giants in the likes of Microsoft and Oracle being represented by regional teams who have recognized the e-government opportunities in the country. Prof. V.K. Samaranayake, Chairman, Infotel Lanka Society, IITC and ICEG said that the ICT week had given a "good impetus" to the local IT industry. He particularly praised the Ministers' dialogue. The conferences also had several keynote addresses from several countries and IT companies. Another unique feature of the ICT week was the ASOCIO Golf Tournament held on Tuesday, which acted as the opener of the ASOCIO celebrations. The exhibitions were also eye-openers in terms of the grandeur stalls by several companies. Stall expenditures had been in the tune of millions with space age constructions, arches and even a second-floor for meetings and discussions. Key industry professionals also maintained an overall nod to the entire week but had reservations on certain aspects. Several leading heads of organizations agreed that the initiative was good for the country. However, the exhibition failed to attract foreign delegates. "We did not see any foreign opportunity. We came here merely to maintain a presence. But through our own perseverance and networking we were able to get some leads. On the whole it is good for the country. Everybody is talking about IT this week," said one of the exhibitors who did not wish to be identified. Similar views were shared by some of the local organizations that had developed products worthy of overseas market potential. A group of organizations had teamed up with the Export Development Board for a group stall purely for reasons of costs. The IITC and ICEG conferences separately attracted around 300 delegates on each conference day of which around 60 were foreigners. The ASOCIO conference attracted 200 local delegates and 350 foreign delegates. The conference also had over 20 speakers. The conference was sponsored by several leading global companies such as Microsoft, Intel, IBM; local companies PC House, Suntel, Keells Business Systems Ltd and Sri Lankan airlines. The ASOCIO celebrations was organized using a sponsorship budget around Rs. 20 million. Rajapakse
seeks ICT support to reduce poverty "We are most concerned about reducing poverty and to place great importance on harnessing ICT and its capabilities," said the Premier. Citing the Govi Gnana System project that updates farmers with market prices of agricultural produce, he said that more village level projects in areas of fisheries and self-employment were needed to reduce poverty. The Prime Minister addressing the ASOCIO Regional ICT Ministers meeting pledged to work with ASOCIO member country governments to develop ICT and for Sri Lanka to become a strategic player in the region. Further, he added that as with globalization, countries should evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses and choose the right partners for regional ICT leadership. Only
9.7% of Sri Lankans computer literate The study naturally found the Western Province returning the highest computer literacy rate of 15.3 percent and 20% in the Colombo district. A further literacy of over 10 percent was reported from Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy and Matara districts from the study that presented statisitics on 14 different measures. The study defined computer literacy as the level of comfort around computers rather than a look of fear and feeling of foreboding. This meant that an individual was declared to be computer literate if he/she could do something on his/her own using a computer. "Sri Lanka is still not a fully-fledged computer user. Therefore, it is not possible to adopt definitions on computer literacy used by developed countries. For example, if a child of 5 years old could play a game using a computer on his/her own, he/she was considered as computer literate," explained Dr. Amara Satharasinghe, Deputy Director, Department of Census and Statistics. The survey measured in total 14 key indicators including the number of computers in households, availability of email and Internet facilities, and the availability of printers. Though computer literacy was limited it was found that 18% of the population within the same age group were aware of the use of computers. Further on the average, four out of 100 households are reportedly in possession of a computer of which over 40 percent of the home computers have been acquired within 24 months prior to the survey. The ownership also highlights a significant digital divide with 10% of urban households possessing a computer as opposed to 3% of rural households. Internet penetration is also at a further ebb with only seven households per 1000 households having an Internet facility, which is 20% of the households that have a computer. Email facility on average is available in nine out of 1000 households. Considering essential basic accessories of personal computers such as printers and CD drives, 42 households out of 100 households with computers were found to be in possession of printers. In terms of computer usage, nationally 53% of households used their home computers for only 10 hours or less per week. Only about one fifth of the households use their home computers for 20 hours or more per week.While the pilot survey is welcomed by the industry, the industry is eagerly looking forward to the National Information Technology (IT) Workforce Survey commissioned by the Sri Lanka Information and Communications Technology Association (SLICTA) to be completed early next year. Yet another first in the industry, the workforce survey will seek to understand the current marketplace for ICT workers in terms of overall size, geographical distribution and organizational distribution of the local IT workforce. |
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